2/3 of C-suite executives view AI data sovereignty as mission-critical

A new EDB survey of global enterprise leaders reveals that nearly two-thirds of C-suite executives now view AI and data sovereignty as mission-critical requirements rather than optional capabilities. The research, spanning major economies across EMEA, North America, and Asia Pacific, suggests that enterprises are fundamentally reshaping their technology strategies around hybrid architectures and open-source solutions to maintain control over their most valuable digital assets.

What you should know: Current sovereignty recognition varies dramatically by region, with adoption rates ranging from 11% in France to 27% in Saudi Arabia and the UAE.

• Within three years, projections show Germany leading at 69%, followed by the U.S. and Saudi Arabia, while Japan, Italy, and the UK are expected to lag behind.
• The survey indicates that 30% of executive leaders believe this shift could create “50 more Amazon-like companies” and generate $100 trillion in new capital value.

The big picture: Enterprise leaders are prioritizing breaking down data silos over geopolitical concerns as their primary driver for AI and data sovereignty initiatives.

• By a 2:1 ratio, eliminating data silos ranked as the top motivation, surpassing geopolitical factors and global uncertainty.
• The convergence is reshaping enterprise DNA around three core elements: hybrid architectures, open-source adoption, and integrated security infrastructure.

Key implementation strategies: Companies are pursuing three primary approaches to achieve sovereignty over their AI and data operations.

• 46% are moving workloads to hybrid configurations to break free from data silos.
• 40% are shifting AI and data workloads to open-source solutions.
• 48% are integrating security and infrastructure for hybrid environments.

Financial services leading the charge: Banking, insurance, and financial services sectors show the highest commitment to AI and data sovereignty initiatives.

• 50% of executives in these industries agree that AI and data convergence with sovereignty is critical for delivering “Amazon-level experiences” to customers and back-office operations.
• After nearly a decade of phased digital transformations, these sectors are entering a period where rapid shifts in operational and capital expenditures are becoming possible.

Why this matters: The research suggests enterprises are moving beyond fragmented solutions toward becoming their own sovereign AI and data platforms.

• Companies are realizing they need what EDB, a data management company, terms the “Amazon aspiration” – having all data work together at the point of need with sovereign control and security.
• This transformation requires secure, compliant environments capable of delivering the quality of service necessary for customer, team, and ecosystem value creation.

What’s next: EDB plans to release a comprehensive report later this year covering 13 key geographies representing over $48 trillion in GDP.

• The full research will provide decision-making frameworks to help enterprise leaders prioritize use cases, assess platform needs, and identify focus areas.
• The findings will include regional, industry, and platform maturity breakdowns with expected returns on AI and data investments.